WOODBURY — Outside of Woodbury High School, the 88-year-old doughboy statue depicting American patriotism after World War I had fallen on tough times.

The wall around the base of the statue was in disrepair and “The Victor,” the name given to the symbolic WWI veteran, was in need of some updates.

Thanks to one Woodbury High School student, however, the statue has been returned to its former glory. Its flag will be flying high for Veteran’s Day only a month away.

Alex Snow, 17, had passed by the statue multiple times on his way to school, seeing its deterioration.

The statue was built back in 1925 by then internationally known sculptor R. Tait McKenzie.

McKenzie chose University of Pennsylvania football star Rea McGraw as his model for the statue, believing that McGraw served as an example of the “typical American youth” who would best suit his depiction of “The Victor.”

The Victor, which was first unveiled on Memorial Day in 1925 and restored in 1994, was again in need of repair.

In February, Alex saw an opportunity not only to restore one of Woodbury’s most historic landmarks, but also as a perfect way to honor veterans for his upcoming Eagle Scout project.

First, he had to approach the Board of Education about restoring the statue.

“Being in front of people like that, I was very nervous,” said Alex.

But the board approved the project, and it was now up to Alex to get the proper funding and permits from the city.

He set a goal of having the statue ready by Nov. 11, which is Veteran’s Day and the 95th anniversary of the end of World War I.

After getting his project approved by the Boy Scouts of America, he approached American Legion Post 133 in Woodbury about getting some additional help.

Alex said the post was more than willing to help, donating $5,000 to his cause and offering to raise the American flag on Veteran’s Day.

Over the next few months, Alex worked with Boy Scouts Troop 7009 to get the support of local companies like Acme Lingo Flagpoles in Southampton and Professional Pavers from Mantua to complete the project last week.

The high schooler said the hardest part of the project was “getting people to help you out and the timing of when you want something done.”

He added that, several times through the process, he had trouble getting volunteers and companies to show up for the restoration.

“We just said to ourselves ‘It needs to be done,’ ” said Alex of his troop.

Now the statue stands ready to be re-dedicated on Veteran’s Day this year, when Alex hopes he and the American Legion will be in front of the high school for a ceremony to commemorate the day.

As he waits for final approval from the scouts to become an Eagle Scout, he said he isn’t going to stop contributing just because he’s done with this project.

“I’ll keep on helping the kids in my troop to become Eagle Scouts,” said Alex.